Meola betters his own record shutout streak as Kansas City blanks Metros 2-0

KANSAS CITY (Saturday, May 13, 2000) -- Kansas City goalkeeper Tony Meola broke his own Major League Soccer record for consecutive minutes without allowing a goal, in the process helping the Wizards maintain the best record in the league with a 2-0 triumph over the MetroStars before 9,705 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Midfielder Matt McKeon had a goal and an assist to lead the Wizards attack.

Making five saves for his league-leading seventh shutout, Meola has now gone 435 minutes since letting in a goal. The previous best was 414 minutes which Meola set while with the MetroStars in 1996. "I had totally forgotten about (the streak)," Meola said. "The thrill for me is that the record came in a Wizards uniform."

After the MetroStars (3-6, 9 points) had the better of play in the first half, the Kansas City (7-0-2, 23 points) finally broke through in the 50th minute when McKeon scored on a rocket from 30 yards. Midfielder Mo Johnston laid a perfect rolling pass to McKeon in the center of the field and he beat keeper Mike Ammann to the upper left hand corner to make it 1-0.

The MetroStars' comeback hopes were dealt a severe blow in the 70th minute when defender Ramiro Corrales was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the game.

Kansas City, now 6-0 at home, was quick to capitalize. McKeon won a ball from Mike Petke about 35 yards out, leading to a three-on-two advantage. McKeon stormed through midfield and slotted a pass to the left side to midfielder Chris Henderson, who cruised into the box and beat Ammann from close range to make it 2-0 in the 75th minute.

"We look at the game at hand. We feel like if we can focus on that, we have a good possibility to come out a winner," K.C. coach Bob Gansler said. "What has happened in the past should give us the confidence we need to win. But you know the winning streak isn't going to last forever."

The teams combined for just three shots on goal in the first half, with three yellow cards handed out in a tight opening 45 minutes. The MetroStars had the best chance to get on the board when Petter Villegas took an Adolfo
Valencia pass and shook free at the top of the arc. Villegas unleashed a strong shot towards the upper left hand corner, only to have Meola tip it over the crossbar.

While Kansas City held a 19-9 edge in total shots, the MetroStars actually had more shots on frame 5-4.